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Costa Rica/Panama

Beyond Borders: Shared Nature & Culture in Costa Rica & Panama

Program No. 25376RJ
Delve into the myriad of connections between Costa Rica and Panama as you observe wildlife, learn from local business owners and explore the countries’ capital cities.

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
45 meals ( 16B, 15L, 14D )
8 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
16 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Orientation: 6:00 p.m. at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. Unless otherwise specified, transportation during your program will be provided by air-conditioned bus. Our buses do not include onboard toilets, so we have scheduled stops during drives for bathroom breaks. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we'll continue getting to know one another during a welcome dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 2.5 hours; mostly flat terrain, paved paths and sidewalks. Elevation 3,845 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At our hotel, we'll join a local expert for an informative overview of Costa Rica that will delve into the country’s history, culture and geography. Following the presentation, we will board a bus and ride to the University of Costa Rica's (UCR) campus. Upon arrival we will be met by a UCR biology student who will lead us on an urban nature walk in search of plants and wildlife that have adapted to life in the city. During our explorations we will also learn about the María Aguilar Biological Corridor, a local initiative that helps to connect natural habitats from five local municipalities. Biological corridors make it possible for wildlife to travel between habitats that otherwise would remain isolated due to urban development. This plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity in these areas, and consequently, a healthy ecosystem.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near the university.
Afternoon:
We will return to our bus and ride back to San José's downtown area in preparation for a walking orientation of the city center led by our Group Leader. We will start off our explorations at the Plaza de la Cultura and the National Theater--built during Costa Rica’s coffee boom in the late 1800s--then continue along the Avenida Central and the commercial center before looping back to our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles, approximately 2.5-3 hours riding time. Getting on/off a covered wagon; about 1 - 1.5 hours riding time. Intermittent walking and standing on mostly flat terrain; closed-toed shoes, hat, sunscreen, and rain poncho recommended. Traveling on winding mountain roads at elevations up to 11,000 feet at Cerro de la Muerte. Elevation at program site is about 7,000 feet. Prepare for cooler weather in this mountainous region.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
A local expert will join us at the hotel for an informative presentation on Costa Rica's famed biological diversity. We’ll check out of the hotel then board the bus to begin our transfer to San Gerardo de Dota through a scenic route via the Valley of the Saints. While driving near the farm owned by President Pepe Figueres' family, we will stop for coffee and cookies and discuss his political legacy in Costa Rica with our Group Leader. Don José “Pepe” Figueres Ferrer holds hero status in Costa Rican history, a position earned through a lifetime of political activism. Don Pepe, as he was known locally, was a key figure in the 1948 revolutionary movement that led to the ousting of President Teodoro Picado and the creation of a new constitution. Next, we’ll ride to a gourmet coffee cooperative in the Valley of the Saints region to learn about one of Costa Rica's top three exports. Upon leaving the bus we will meet a member of the cooperative who will serve as our host and coffee expert during our visit. We will take a seat aboard a covered wagon then begin our tractor-driven ride through various areas of the cooperative, stopping to view and learn about the various stages involved in growing, harvesting, and processing coffee before it's ready for consumption. To cap off the experience we will sample some world-class brews. The Valley’s landscape, acidic soil composition, and well defined dry and rainy seasons all lend themselves to raising coffee. Harvesting is done during the region’s dry season (November – March). Limited rainfall during those five months gives fruit an opportunity to ripen evenly and also facilitates the sun drying process.
Lunch:
At the cooperative's cafeteria.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will climb aboard the bus and ride to San Gerardo de Dota. We will check in at the lodge and have some time to freshen up and relax before meeting for dinner.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
After a review of tomorrow’s activities, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of four-wheel drive vehicles; driving about 3 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking 1.5 miles on undulating forest trails, potentially muddy; wear closed-toed/heel shoes. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will climb aboard 4x4 vehicles and ride a short distance uphill before setting off on foot with our Group Leader along cloud forest trails in search of the bird of ancient royalty, the colorful and elusive Resplendent Quetzal. In addition to learning about the life history of the Resplendent Quetzal, we’ll investigate the myriad other flora and fauna that are characteristic of this highland environment. We’ll accompany our Group Leader on a nature walk on forest trails leading to the 400 year-old oak forest situated on the upper slopes of the valley. We will ride back to the lodge and freshen up before meeting for an expert presentation on the history and development of the San Gerardo Valley.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. You might like to use this time to go bird watching, walking/hiking, or try out some of the lodge amenities (additional costs might apply).
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
After a review of tomorrow’s activities, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 115 miles, approximately 3.5 - 4 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the lodge and securing our luggage on the bus we will board and begin our transfer to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.
Lunch:
At a restaurant en route.
Afternoon:
Arriving at the lodge we’ll check in and have some time to settle into our rooms and freshen up. Before dinner we will attend an expert presentation on the dolphin research project being conducted at the Center for Cetacean Research (CEIC). During this session we will also learn more about the purpose of tomorrow's marine field trip at Golfo Dulce and the ways in which we will be assisting the research team with data collection.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Get a good night's rest in preparation for tomorrow's early start.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time throughout the day. Getting in/out of a motorized boat with covered top; up to 3 hours on the water; no bathroom aboard. Walking up to .5 mile on mostly flat lodge paths. Wear lightweight sweat-wicking fabrics, sunglasses with croakies, sunscreen, hat with chin tie, cooling neck towel, athletic sandals (e.g., Teva, Keen, etc) or water shoes with rubber tread; bring water bottle, sea sickness medication.
Breakfast:
Early, at the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast we will ride by bus to El Chontal at Golfo Dulce. We will meet the CEIC research team responsible for directing today's fieldwork, then board a motorized boat and head out in search of spotted and bottlenose dolphins and migrating whales (Aug.-Oct.). Our fieldwork will be conducted in small teams or pairs. We'll return to El Chontal in time for lunch.
Lunch:
At El Chontal.
Afternoon:
Our participation in today's research project will conclude with a final presentation by CEIC research staff including an analysis of the data collected so far. Our wrap-up session will include coffee and snacks. Next, we will board our bus and ride to back to the lodge.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
We will join our Group Leader for an evening walk on lodge grounds in search of frogs, insects, bats, kinkajous and other nocturnal creatures that become active once the sun goes down.
Activity Note
Early, pre-breakfast, nature walk on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 14 miles, approximately 0.5 - 1 hour total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day on mostly flat paths and paved surfaces; closed-toe shoes, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, cooling towel, and water bottle recommended. Ascending and descending about 40 steps at observation tower.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. You might wish to use this opportunity to explore Corcovado National Park, visit the nearby town of La Palma, take a walk in Danta Corcovado's private reserve, or simply relax at the lodge.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will board the bus and ride to a local farm to learn about the history and cultivation of cacao and the lengthy process of transforming the harvested seeds into delicious chocolate. After leaving the bus we will accompany a staff member on an informative walk through planted areas featuring different varieties of cacao. Our walk will continue with stops at the seed fermentation and drying areas before moving on to the roasting phase and a chocolate-making demonstration. We will conclude with a delicious chocolate tasting experience. We will reboard the bus and head back to the lodge to freshen up and relax before joining our Group Leader on a late-afternoon nature walk to an observation tower in the lodge's reserve. Our route will take us through secondary forest on mostly flat terrain and gravel paths until we near the observation tower at the top of a hill. The last stretch of the path is uphill and unpaved until we reach the large grassy area at the base of the tower. We will climb the tower stairs to the upper deck, then soak up the scenic views and look for birds in the forest canopy. Before dark we will descend from the tower and use the same trails to return to the lodge's main building.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a bus; driving about 143 miles, approximately 4-4.5 hours total riding time throughout the day. Stopping at Immigration checkpoints at Costa Rica/Panama border; ensure your passport and travel information is easily accessible in your hand luggage.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will check out of the lodge, climb aboard the bus, and begin our transfer to Panama. Today's journey will include mandatory stops for Customs and Immigration procedures at the Paso Canoas border checkpoints. Once our documentation is processed we will continue our transfer to Boquete. We will break up the drive with a stop at a private reserve in Boqueron.
Lunch:
At a private reserve in Boqueron.
Afternoon:
We will accompany our Group Leader on a walking exploration of the reserve's gardens and forested areas. The reserve's location (~2,952 feet elevation) on the lower slopes of Volcan Barú draws both lowland and lower montane bird species. The hummingbird feeders and flowering plants attract a variety of hummingbirds including Garden Emeralds, Long-billed Starthroats, Scaly-breasted Hummingbirds, Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, and Brown Violetears. We'll climb aboard the bus and finish our transfer to Boquete. Once we arrive to the hotel and check in, we will have the chance to freshen up and relax a bit before meeting for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Get on/off a bus; driving about 14 miles, under 1 hour total riding time. Zipline activity has a 250 lb weight limit per person; wear closed toe shoes, long pants, sunscreen, repellent. Walking up to 1 mile on mostly flat terrain; some unpaved paths, ascending/descending steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our activities will start with a bus ride to Boquete town followed by a walking orientation led by our Group Leader. Our explorations of this small community will include the flower fairgrounds and Calderas River bridge. Then we will return to the bus and ride to a local honey producer to learn about bees, bee keeping, and honey production during a walk through the facilities led by a member of staff. Next, we will board the bus and ride to Boquete Tree Trek Adventure Park in preparation for a ziplining adventure in the foothills of Volcan Barú. After checking in, park staff will get us geared up with harnesses, helmets, and gloves before sitting us down for a demonstration by a park instructor that will cover proper ziplining techniques and safety practices. From here we will board the park's 4x4 vehicles to a trailhead before setting off on foot to the first platform and begin our ride above the forest canopy (100-200 feet above ground). Boquete Tree Trek's zipline course stretches for 2.79 miles over hills and forests and includes 12 sections of steel cables and 14 staging platforms. These breaks in the course allow for a more controlled rate of descent as zipliners gradually make their way to ground level.
Lunch:
At Boquete Tree Trek Adventure Park.
Afternoon:
We will board our bus and ride back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free of scheduled activities.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Early, pre-breakfast, birding on lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus; driving for about 201 miles, approximately 4 hours total riding time throughout the day. Walking up to 1 mile on undulating paths, some uphill sections; intermittent walking and standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will check out of our rooms, board the bus, and ride to a local coffee estate to learn about Geisha coffee. A farm representative will meet our group then invite us to join in a walk through planted sections and processing areas to learn about the origins and characteristics of prized Geisha coffee (also known as Gesha) and how it has changed coffee farming in the Chiriquí region. Concluding our field trip we will board the bus and begin our transfer to Chitre located on Panama's Azuero Peninsula.
Lunch:
At a restaurant en route.
Afternoon:
We'll continue with our transfer to Chitre. Once at the hotel, we will check in and have the rest of the afternoon free of activities so we can settle into our accommodations and relax.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 84 miles, approximately 3-3.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the bus at our hotel and ride to an artisan's home to see and discuss what it takes to create Panamanian polleras--the beloved national dress worn by women during special celebrations and folkloric events. During our visit we will view the various fabrics, lace, embroidery, and designs used to create these very expensive and labor-intensive works of art. Although the elaborately decorated, 2-piece dress was initially influenced by Spanish styles, what we see today is a uniquely Panamanian interpretation. It is interesting to consider how an outfit originally worn by working class women ended up being adopted centuries later by the upper classes and worn with pride at special occasions.
Lunch:
At the artisan's home.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will board the bus and ride back to our hotel. We will have some time to relax and freshen up before our next activity.
Dinner:
At a local home, we'll enjoy a family-hosted meal.
Evening:
We will ride back to the hotel and review the schedule for tomorrow. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles, approximately .5 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today's activities will focus on the artistic legacy of the people in this region. We will ride our bus to the town of Parita and visit a drum artisan at his home workshop. During our visit we will learn about the materials and methods used for creating three types of drums and get a demonstration on sound quality of different instruments. The techniques used to make these instruments were passed down through many generations.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we'll ride the bus to a renowned mask maker's workshop to get a firsthand look at the skills and techniques used in the making of "dirty devil" masks worn in Panama during Corpus Christi and Carnival. Then we will ride to a local pottery-maker's home workshop to see how materials are mixed and prepared before they can be skillfully shaped with the aid of a potter's wheel. Once the pieces go through a curing period, they are ready to be fired in a kiln so they can receive their glaze and a final firing. Anyone interested in giving it a try is invited to join in and wheel-throw a pot. You might be surprised to learn it's a lot harder than it looks! We will ride our bus to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner:
At the hotel with a folkloric presentation.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 166 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total riding time throughout the day. Walking .5-1 mile on mostly flat, paved, terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once we complete check out procedures we will hop aboard the bus and begin today's transfer to Gamboa. En route, we will stop at Natá de los Caballeros town (Natá for short) and accompany our Group Leader inside the basilca to learn more about the oldest church in the Americas that is still in use. The Basílica Menor Santiago Apóstol was declared a historic national monument in the 1940s and is an important example of early colonial Spanish architecture in Panama and the Americas. Some of the building's more unique features are found inside such as the floor-to-ceiling wood columns in the nave, exposed wood beams, and the pulpit and side altars expertly carved by indigenous artisans.
Lunch:
En route, at Capira town; "comida typica" prepared and served by a women's group in the community.
Afternoon:
We'll return to the bus and continue our journey to Gamboa. En route we'll stop at La Chorrera city and walk around its commercial center for some cultural exploration. Our Group Leader will point out areas of interest and provide context to what is happening around us as we observe residents going about their daily lives. La Chorrera city is located about 20 miles southwest of Panama City. The vibrant community is becoming increasingly popular among middle/working class families seeking more affordable living conditions outside of Panama City. Once we arrive at our hotel, we'll complete check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. We'll reconvene before dinner for an expert presentation on the ethnic background and cultural traditions of Panama's people.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 5 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Getting in/out of motorized canoes; navigating approximately 20 minutes each way. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 2 hours on mostly flat, unpaved terrain, potential mud. It is not mandatory to bring anything to donate to the village; however, anyone wishing to do so might consider bringing school supplies such as pencils and erasers, coloring pens/pencils, books in Spanish, etc. to donate during the visit.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll ride the bus to a local dock then board motorized dugout canoes that will take us on a scenic journey up the Chagres River to an Embera village. After being welcomed ashore by members of the community we'll meet the village chief who will talk to us about the history of the Embera people, their way of life, culture, and handicraft traditions. We will walk through the village to learn about their homes, school, communal spaces, and botanical garden.
Lunch:
At the village, traditional lunch prepared by the Emberá women.
Afternoon:
We will have a bit of independent time to see Emberá handicrafts such as woodcarvings and woven baskets. The sale of their products benefits the village and helps to pay the school fees for the children. Those who like can also get a temporary Emberá tattoo painted on their arm or leg (lasts about 2 weeks). The blue-black stain used to create the traditional geometric tatoos is made from unripe jagua fruit (Genipa americana) that grows in abundance in the area. We'll say farewell to the village as we board the motorized canoes and make our way back to where the bus awaits to take us to the hotel. After freshening up at the hotel, we will return to the bus and ride to the nearby Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary to begin our next field trip. We will learn about sloths and the sanctuary's work as a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center during an interpretive walk led by our Group Leader. The Sloth Sanctuary is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation project run by the Asociacion Panamericana Para La Conservacion (APPC) that aims to treat and rehabilitate rescued animals in preparation for their release back into the wild. Loss of habitat and urban development expose sloths to all kinds of dangers including car traffic, power lines, illegal pet trade, and even dogs. After we conclude our visit we will reboard the bus and ride back to the hotel. Before dinner we will attend an expert led presentation on the importance of water conservation in Panama.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will meet a hotel naturalist at the hotel lobby, then board a "Chiva" truck that will take us on a nighttime safari on hotel grounds in search of nocturnal wildlife. Some wildlife we may hope to spot include caimans, kinkajous, agoutis, two-toed sloths, bats, and capybaras.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a bus; driving about 35 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time throughout the day. Walking up to 1.5 miles on mostly flat forest trails and paved paths. Ascending/descending 174 steps with railing; tower has resting/observation platforms every 26 feet. Wear a hat, closed-toed tennis shoes, sunscreen, repellent, binoculars.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After boarding the bus we'll take a short ride to Pipeline Road, disembark, then set off on foot with our Group Leader in search of resident wildlife. Our walk will take us as far as the Rainforest Discovery Center where we'll stop to view the variety of hummingbirds that visit the feeders. Then we'll walk to the park's 104-foot tall Discovery Tower and climb the steps to its various levels to get a different perspective of the forest and its inhabitants. At the end of our explorations we'll hop on our waiting bus and ride back to the hotel to freshen up then check out of our rooms.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We will climb aboard our bus and ride to to the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal. Once there, we'll accompany our Group Leader on an interpretive walk to experience the center's interactive displays and see the canal locks at work from an observation deck. Concluding our activities we'll return to the bus and ride to our hotel in Casco Viejo and check into our accommodations.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a bus; driving about 10 miles, approximately 0.5 - 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day on mostly flat paved surfaces; cobblestones, some irregular sidewalks, and intermittent standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we will join a local expert for a presentation on the past, present, and future of Panama. Then we will board our bus and ride to the BioMuseo in preparation for our next field trip. Under our Group Leader's direction we'll explore the museum's interactive and multi-media exhibits to uncover the science behind the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and its crucial role in facilitating biodiversity throughout the Americas. The colorful, eye-catching architecture of the museum is the creation of internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibits, the museum also features a public atrium and a botanical park.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Amador.
Afternoon:
We will return to the bus and ride to Casco Viejo in preparation for a walking orientation of Panama's colonial center led by our Group Leader. As we explore the town's plazas and side streets we will learn about the capital's move to this location in 1673 and the various political and economic events that helped shape the layout and eclectic architectural styles of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our explorations will include a visit to the Panama Canal Museum where we will learn about the American era of the Panama Canal and explore the second-floor exhibits dedicated to its history from beginning to completion.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Casco Viejo. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy our last evening together in Panama then prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel (depending on flight times). This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Dec 02, 2026 - Dec 18, 2026
Jan 09, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026
Jan 22, 2026 - Feb 07, 2026
Mar 27, 2026 - Apr 12, 2026
Apr 08, 2026 - Apr 24, 2026
Jun 03, 2026 - Jun 19, 2026
Jul 15, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026
Aug 19, 2026 - Sep 04, 2026
Nov 02, 2026 - Nov 18, 2026
Dec 02, 2026 - Dec 18, 2026





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